COLUMBUS, OH – The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas has adopted new rules restricting how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can conduct arrests on courthouse property in downtown Columbus.
The regulations, approved by the court’s 17 judges, prohibit ICE from making civil arrests—such as those related to immigration violations—on courthouse grounds without a criminal warrant. Additionally, no criminal arrests can take place inside a judge’s courtroom unless ICE or any other law enforcement agency has received prior written approval from a judge.
The rules further limit court personnel from inquiring about an individual’s immigration status unless necessary for official duties or required by law. They also bar courthouse staff from sharing personal information, including release dates, with immigration officials unless the information is public or backed by a valid judicial warrant.
Violations of these rules could result in individuals being held in contempt of court, immediately removed from courthouse property, or permanently barred from the premises.
The court’s decision follows a recent increase in immigration enforcement on courthouse grounds, according to a press release issued Friday. The judges emphasized that these measures are meant to protect due process and ensure access to justice for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
“Courts have a unique Constitutional responsibility to protect due process and access to justice on behalf of the entire public,” the release stated. “That mission is jeopardized when victims, witnesses, and defendants fear civil arrest and deportation from courthouse grounds.”
The court’s move comes amid heightened immigration enforcement efforts under the Trump administration, with federal prosecutors being ordered to crack down on cities and counties that hinder ICE operations. In recent years, reports of ICE raids in Columbus have fueled concerns within immigrant communities.
By implementing these new rules, the Franklin County Common Pleas Court aims to establish clear guidelines that uphold judicial integrity and public safety. The rules went into effect immediately, with a public comment period to be scheduled at a later date.
